6 Things I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Self

In the last few months, it’s started to dawn on me that I’m actually a fully fledged adult. To be perfectly honest, it scared the absolute poop out of me. I’ve been in full time employment longer than I was at uni, I pay rent, I even book my own appointments reluctantly. And it got me reflecting on my past and how different things could be if I knew back then what I know now. And thus, the 6 key things I wish I could tell my younger self.

Don’t take it so seriously

This applies to nearly every aspect of your life. The only thing you should be worrying about properly is your education. All the dramas, the arguments and things that seemed so incredibly important at the time, now I can’t even remember. It may feel like the end of your world, but trust me you have so much living and growing up to do. Everything will work out for the best, and the hard times are there to make you stronger.

Things aren’t always as they seem

Just because you perceive someone as one thing, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s what they are. Sometimes first impressions can be so incredibly wrong. These people with the seemingly perfect life that you would do anything to have, it isn’t all sunshine and happiness. Appreciate what you have, and don’t take anything or anyone for granted.

Don’t let yourself be second choice

Don’t tolerate anyone’s nonsense, if it doesn’t feel right to you than move on. People come into your life ‘for a reason, a season or a lifetime’.

Start investing in yourself

This is potentially one of the most important things to know, invest in yourself. As soon as you’re able go out and get a little job. It doesn’t have to take up all your free time, and you won’t get behind with your work. Yet every penny you earn will be yours, there’s no saving for a deposit, no travel fares and no forking out £100 to dye your hair every couple of months. Learn to drive, get a little car, do some travelling, save up and invest in something for your future. You’ll only ever regret the things you haven’t done.

Don’t be so frightened

The world is a scary place when you’re young, you’ve been sheltered by your parents and you’re finally dipping your toe into unknown waters. Waters that are full of experiences you can’t even imagine. And that’s just it, the experiences seem intimidating because they are the unknown. They’re going to happen eventually, so why stress about it? Why put off only to realise ‘oh, that wasn’t bad’. Being young is an adventure, embrace it and be brave!

Things are going to change

No matter how hard you try, and how much you resist it, things will change. Some of these changes will be things that you never expected to happen, and some are a blessing in disguise. Just remember that when a door is shut it opens a window. It may not be what you planned or you envisioned, but it’s what was always meant to happen.